Written Answers Monday 3 December 2007

Child Mortality

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies were born at gestation of (a) 28 weeks or less and (b) 37 weeks or less and how many of these survived in each of the last seven years for which figures are available.

Shona Robison: The information available is shown in table 1.

  Table 1: Number of Babies born at Gestations of 28 Weeks or Less and 37 Weeks or Less and How Many of these Babies Survived; Scotland, 1999 - 2005

  

 at 28 weeks gestation or less
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005


 live births1
 258
 304
 269
 253
 283
 285
 290


 stillbirth2
 83
 101
 73
 82
 72
 88
 89


 deaths within first month (neonatal death)2
 99
 107
 97
 79
 96
 91
 91


 number of babies surviving at 28 days3
 159
 197
 172
 174
 187
 194
 199


 deaths from 1st month to end of first year (post neonatal death)2
 9
 22
 13
 18
 17
 16
 19


 number of babies surviving at one year4
 150
 175
 159
 156
 170
 178
 180



  

 at 37 weeks gestation or less
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
2003
2004
2005


 live births1
 6,880
 6,749
 6,378
 6,424
6,690
6,743
6,532


 stillbirths2
 210
 226
 216
 204
228
234
203


 deaths within first month (neonatal death)2
 138
 160
 142
 115
147
126
131


 number of babies surviving at 28 days3
 6,742
 6,589
 6,236
 6,309
6,543
6,617
6,401


 deaths from 1st month to end of first year (postneonatal death) 2
 26
 45
 32
 46
46
38
42


number of babies surviving at one year 4
6,716
6,544
6,204
6,263
6,497
6,579
6,359



  Source: SMR02 Maternity and Neonatal Linked Database.

  Notes:

  1. Live births recorded from SMR02 (maternity hospital discharge summary).

  2. Still births and infant deaths recorded from Scottish Stillbirth and Infant Death (SSBID) returns.

  3. Babies surviving at 28 days = total live births - deaths within first month.

  4. Babies surviving after 1 year = total live births - deaths within first month - deaths from first month to end of first year.

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review existing powers relating to compulsory purchase orders.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government recently instructed Officials to undertake a review of the compulsory purchase order process.

  The key challenge is not to extend the already considerable legal powers available to local authorities and others, but to encourage and facilitate the more effective use of these and other tools.

Domestic Violence

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual cost is of domestic violence under the categories (a) the criminal justice system, (b) health care, (c) social services, (d) housing and (e) economic output.

Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6608 on 29 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Economy

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what gross domestic product per capita was in (a) 1950, (b) 1960, (c) 1970, (d) 1980, (e) 1990, (f) 2000 and (g) the most recent year for which figures are available and what comparative information it has for (i) each EU member state and (ii) each OECD nation.

John Swinney: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita data are available for Scotland from 1989 onwards. Table 1 presents Scottish GDP per capita data for 1990, 2000, and 2005, which is the most recent year. Table 2 presents comparative information for the EU member states for 2005. Information on earlier years is available from the Eurostat web site at the following link: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1090,30070682,1090_33076576&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

  Data on the OECD countries are available from the OECD web site: http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=SNA_TABLE1

  Table 1: GVA per head, Scotland and UK, £, current prices

  

 Scotland 
 1990
 2000
 2005


£8,507
£13,256
£16,944



  Source: ONS.

  Notes: GVA is equal to GDP at basic prices.

  Table 2: GDP per capita, measured in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS), 2005

  

 Ranking
 Economy
 PPS


 1
 Luxembourg 
 58,800


 2
 Ireland
 32,200


 3
 Netherlands
 29,500


 4
 Austria
 28,700


 5
 Denmark
 28,200


 6
 Belgium
 27,500


 7
 United Kingdom
 26,700


 8
 Sweden
 26,600


 9
 Germany
 25,600


 10
 Finland
 25,600


 11
 France
 25,500


 12
 Italy
 23,600


 13
 Spain
 22,900


 14
 Cyprus
 20,900


 15
 Greece
 19,400


 16
 Slovenia
 19,400


 17
 Czech Republic
 17,200


 18
 Malta
 17,000


 19
 Portugal
 16,900


 20
 Hungary
 14,500


 21
 Estonia
 14,000


 22
 Slovakia
 13,400


 23
 Lithuania
 12,000


 24
 Poland
 11,400


 25
 Latvia
 11,200


 26
 Bulgaria
 7,900


 27
 Romania
 7,700



  Source: Eurostat.

  Notes: These estimates for GDP per capita are measured in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS). PPS is a statistical currency unit produced by Eurostat which takes account of the different cost of living between countries and adjusts GDP per capita accordingly.

Emergency Services

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many air ambulance flights have been subject to delay as a result of shift changes in each of the last three years.

Shona Robison: This information is not collected. The vast majority of missions carried out by the Scottish Ambulance Service’s air ambulance service are planned missions and are not time critical. For such missions, shift changes can be worked into the schedule of journeys to be undertaken within the timeframe for the response agreed with the clinician making the request.

  The duty hours of flight crew are regulated in law by the Civil Aviation Authority. The Scottish Ambulance Service has to ensure that its crews strictly adhere to the regulations in the interests of safety - of the patient, the aircraft and the crew. Some leeway does however exist where the condition of the patient is assessed by a clinician as "life or limb threatening". In such circumstances the duty hours of the flight crew may be extended where that is required for the mission to be carried out within the timeframe requested by the clinician.

Emergency Services

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many air ambulance flights have been subject to delay due to adverse weather conditions in each of the last three years.

Shona Robison: This information is not collected. However, where there is likely to be a delay due to weather conditions, the Scottish Ambulance Service will discuss this with the clinician who is requesting transport. In circumstances where the clinician decides that the patient’s condition is life or limb threatening then the Ambulance Service will follow its contingency which is to task the Ministry of Defence (MOD) or HM Coastguard to carry out the mission. In 2005-06, MOD/Coastguard were used on 115 occasions, in 2006-07, they were used 118 times and in the seven months to the end of October 2007 this has occurred on 51 occasions.

Emergency Services

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency plans are in place in the event of the air ambulance service being unable to attend an incident due to adverse weather conditions.

Shona Robison: The Ambulance Service will use the services of the Ministry of Defence or HM Coastguard for incidents where the weather is below the minimum safe operating limits, as governed by the Civil Aviation Authority, and the patient’s condition has the potential to be life or limb threatening.

Emergency Services

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to review the air ambulance service.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Ambulance Service and its constituent operating divisions, which includes the air ambulance service, are the subject of continuous performance management by the Scottish Government.

Emergency Services

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from (a) Shetland Islands Council, (b) Orkney Islands Council, (c) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, (d) Highland Council and (e) Argyll and Bute Council regarding air ambulance services.

Shona Robison: The new air ambulance contract began on 1 April 2006. Since then, Orkney Islands Council have written to and met with the previous Minister for Health and Community Care to discuss air ambulance services. The Convenor of Orkney Islands Council has also written to the Scottish Government about this and has discussed the issue with me when I was in Kirkwall for the NHS Orkney annual review in September. There have been no representations from the other Councils about air ambulance services.

Environment

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated the impact on carbon emissions in each year to 2010-11 of its rural affairs and the environment programme set out in Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: The Spending Review document confirmed that policies and initiatives across all portfolios will take full account of our ambitions for a Greener Scotland, and that we are committed to introduce carbon impact assessments for policy options.

  Measures taken forward under the rural affairs and the environment programme will be consistent with this, and carbon impact assessments will be developed over time.

European Union

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that membership of the European Union would require an independent Scotland to be part of a common fisheries policy.

Linda Fabiani: Negotiations would be required on the detailed terms of continued membership of the European Union of an independent Scotland. Full membership would of course provide Scotland with a greater influence in negotiations on the much needed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits a direct Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service would give to the residents of Lochboisdale and its surrounding communities.

Stewart Stevenson: The STAG appraisal undertaken in 2005 sought to establish the benefits of introducing a direct service between Mallaig to Lochboisdale that did not impact on other services on the network.

  The appraisal concluded that there were potential positive benefits to both the Western Isles and Mallaig. However the appraisal noted that a large proportion of the increase in economic activities in South Uist and Mallaig would be the result of displacement from communities served by existing ferry services. The appraisal also concluded that while there would be some demand for such a service the vast majority of demand would be displaced from existing services with little net increase in the number of trips.

  The main benefit to the community in Lochboisdale of a direct Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service would be a shorter crossing time.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the journey time of a ferry service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig is estimated to be.

Stewart Stevenson: The estimated sailing time for a direct service between Mallaig and Lochboisdale is 3 hours 20 minutes.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its decision not to include a ferry from Lochboisdale to Mallaig as part of the Caledonian MacBrayne contracted ferry routes.

Stewart Stevenson: The current service specification for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services is not "set in stone". CalMac Ferries Ltd are free to suggest alterations to the timetable that are affordable and that do not adversely impact on the services to the communities.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it considers that it will serve a useful purpose for the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change to visit Lochboisdale.

Stewart Stevenson: I am unable to visit Lochboisdale at this time but I am meeting interested parties from South Uist in Edinburgh on 22 January 2008.

Ferry Services

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much is being paid to Caledonian Maritime Assests Ltd by CalMac Ferries Ltd in vessel leasing charges, also broken down by vessel.

Stewart Stevenson: Under the terms of the agreements between CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, CalMac Ferries Ltd currently pay Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd £10.3 million per annum in vessel leasing charges. These amounts relate to the first year of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008. It is considered that the individual vessel leasing charges are commercially sensitive and should not be released.

Ferry Services

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the costs of leasing vessels from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd are included in the £43 million subsidy provided to CalMac Ferries Ltd as of 1 October 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: The cost of leasing vessels is funded from CalMac Ferries Ltd’s revenue and the block subsidy paid by the Scottish Government.

Health

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that hydrotherapy pools are beneficial to arthritis sufferers and, if so, what level of access it considers to be desirable.

Shona Robison: There is growing evidence to suggest that hydrotherapy pools are beneficial to people with arthritis, who often report perceived benefit and improved quality of life. As there is still limited evidence around the cost-effectiveness and quantitative outcomes of this intervention when compared with other therapies, there is a lack of clear evidence that hydrotherapy should be preferred over other therapeutic interventions.

  It is for NHS boards and their local planning partners to determine the levels of services which are provided for people with arthritis, including the provision of hydrotherapy.

Health

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific financial support it provides to local authorities and individual NHS boards for hydrotherapy facilities.

Shona Robison: NHS boards and their local planning partners are expected to provide facilities such as these from the budgets available to them, based on their assessment of local needs.

Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reflect the needs of Scots who require alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) provision in the health action plan for Scotland and, if so, how.

Stewart Maxwell: The health action plan will address the needs of all people in Scotland who require information, services and support to ensure they can receive person-centred care. The action plan will also seek action to develop more opportunities for self care and anticipatory care, and support with communication will be part of this.

Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the recent Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Capability Scotland survey of alternative and augmentative communication provision in Scotland regarding experts’ rating of provision in eight NHS board areas.

Stewart Maxwell: The Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison, has agreed to meet the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Campaign Group to discuss the issues raised by the recent Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Capability Scotland survey on alternative and augmentative communication.

Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of investment in alternative and augmentative communication aids and support services provision has been since publication of Equipped for Inclusion in 2003, also broken down by NHS board.

Stewart Maxwell: This information is not held centrally. It is for NHS boards to determine the level of funding they provide for services from their general funding allocations, including for alternative and augmentative communication, that best meet the needs of their local communities.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when annual health and fitness checks will be introduced in schools.

Shona Robison: Our plans are to increase the range of nursing and other healthcare support available to school aged children and young people. A healthcare model targeted at deprived and other areas with high numbers of disadvantaged children will be developed in 2008. Individual health plans for school pupils are being considered as part of this work.

Health

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much, in capital and revenue terms, will be spent on children’s health services over the period of the spending review.

Nicola Sturgeon: Spending on children’s health services will be met by NHS Boards from within their general funding allocation and is not separately identified.

  In response to the National Delivery Plan for Specialist Children’s Services, specific additional revenue funding of £32 million is being provided over the period of the spending review to improve the quality of service provision, increase capacity in key areas and reduce inequalities in access. £63.2 million capital funding is also being provided for the new children’s hospital in Glasgow over the course of the spending review. The Scottish Government will at least match the previous administration’s commitment of £130 million for the children’s hospital.

Health and Safety

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been (a) killed and (b) injured due to health and safety issues at work in each year since 1999.

Nicola Sturgeon: The nationally collected NHS health statistics would not identify injuries as specifically due to health and safety issues. However, the Health and Safety Executive website below contains the following reports which may be of interest : http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overpic.htm .

  Health and safety statistics 2006-07 presents the latest top level statistics on work-related ill health, workplace fatalities and injuries, and enforcement in Great Britain. (Published 11/07).

  Statistics of Fatal Injuries 2006/07 presents the latest provisional statistics on workplace fatal injuries in Great Britain. (Published 07/07).

Homelessness

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for the Homelessness Task Force in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: Homelessness Task Force funding was amalgamated in 2007-08 into the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness grant. The Homelessness Task Force allocation within this grant was £21.2 million for 2007-08.

Homelessness

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be rolled into the local authority settlement for the Homelessness Task Force in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Homelessness Task Force funding was amalgamated in 2007-08 into the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness grant. The Homelessness Task Force allocation within this grant was £21.2 million for 2007-08.

  Under the Concordat agreed between Scottish Ministers and COSLA, the ring-fence around the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness Grant will be removed from 1 April 2008, with the grant funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement. RSI funding, for rough sleepers activities mainstreamed into Homelessness Strategies, was already part of the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for Tackling and Preventing Homelessness will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Housing

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for the Furniture Grant Scheme in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: The Furnished Tenancies Grant funding was amalgamated in 2007-08 into the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness grant. The Furnished Tenancies Grant allocation within this grant was £3 million for 2007-08.

Housing

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be rolled into the local authority settlement for the Furniture Grant Scheme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Furnished Tenancies Grant funding was amalgamated in 2007-08 into the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness grant. The Furnished Tenancies Grant allocation within this grant was £3 million for 2007-08.

  Under the Concordat agreed between Scottish Ministers and COSLA, the ring-fence around the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness Grant will be removed from 1 April 2008, with the grant funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement. RSI funding, for rough sleepers activities mainstreamed into Homelessness Strategies, was already part of the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for Tackling and Preventing Homelessness will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Housing

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated for Glasgow hostels decommissioning in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: Glasgow Hostels Decommissioning Programme funding was amalgamated in 2007-08 into the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness grant. The allocation within this grant to Glasgow City Council for the Glasgow Hostels Decommissioning Programme was £15 million for 2007-08.

Housing

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be rolled into the local authority settlement for Glasgow hostels decommissioning in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Glasgow Hostels Decommissioning Programme funding was amalgamated in 2007-08 into the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness grant. The Glasgow Hostels Decommissioning Programme allocation within this grant to Glasgow City Council was £15 million for 2007-08.

  Under the Concordat agreed between Scottish Ministers and COSLA, the ring-fence around the Tackling and Preventing Homelessness Grant will be removed from 1 April 2008, with the grant funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement. RSI funding, for rough sleepers activities mainstreamed into Homelessness Strategies, was already part of the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for Tackling and Preventing Homelessness will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Housing

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding was allocated to local authorities for assistance to owners affected by Glasgow stock transfer in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: £15 million was allocated to Glasgow City Council in 2007-08 to support owners affected by Glasgow stock transfer.

Housing

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding there will be for local authorities for assistance to owners affected by Glasgow stock transfer in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Scottish Ministers propose to continue ring-fenced funding for owners affected by Glasgow stock transfer for each of the years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.

  The nominal profile for GHA owners’ grant funding is provided in the following table.

  Funding for GHA Owners’ Grants

  

 2008-09
 2009-10
 2010-11


Proposed Budget £m
Proposed Budget £m
Proposed Budget £m


 15
 15
 15

Justice

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the 70 cannabis factories discovered by the police in the last 12 months by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.

Mr Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Executive does not collect information about the number of police operations that have discovered cannabis factories.

  The Scottish Executive does collect drug seizure data from the eight police forces within Scotland and these data do contain information about seizures that have recovered cannabis plants.

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1500 on 17 July 2007, which gives information about number of cannabis plants recovered in drug seizures broken down by the corresponding police forces. Please note that the latest information available is for the year 2005-06.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Justice

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to third party rights of access to courts under the provisions of sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, (a) how many applications it has received, (b) when they were received, (c) when a decision can be expected and (d) whether they have been passed to the office of the Lord President for consideration.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is as follows:

  a. One application has been received to date.

  b. The application was received on 4 July 2007.

  c. It is not possible to say when a decision can be expected because in this, as in any future cases, the progress of the application will depend on the amount of follow up correspondence that is required between the applicant and the Lord President/Scottish Ministers to enable a decision to be taken.

  d. The application was forwarded to the Office of the Lord President on 5 July 2007.

Mental Health

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that sufficient resources are available to South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire to fulfil the requirements of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Shona Robison: Spend on mental health services will be drawn from the record funds allocated to NHS boards and local government. It is the responsibility of South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire to work in partnership and to allocate funds from the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs, priorities and agreed targets including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and commitments which take account of the requirements of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

  Further details can be found in the Scottish Budget Report and related Concordat with local government (Bib. numbers 44076 and 44077 respectively).

Ministerial Code

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Bruce Crawford: The routine post-election revision of the Scottish Ministerial Code is expected to conclude in the near future and a revised version of the Code will be published shortly by the First Minister.

Ministerial Code

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the outcome of the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Bruce Crawford: The revised Scottish Ministerial Code will be published once the review has concluded.

Ministerial Code

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code has been undertaken independently of the civil service and ministers.

Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Ministerial Code is being reviewed by Scottish Government officials and will be approved by the First Minister, as has been the case after each Scottish Parliament election.

Ministerial Code

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt the approach taken by Prime Minister, Gordon Brown MP, to have an independent adviser to investigate breaches of the Scottish Ministerial Code to ensure a culture of openness and transparency in government.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that there should be independent oversight of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Bruce Crawford: No decisions will be taken until our review of the Scottish Ministerial Code has concluded.

Ministerial Code

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the highest standard of behaviour by ministers in the Parliament.

Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Ministerial Code is both a code of conduct for Scottish Ministers and also a guide on the procedures and processes which they are expected to observe in carrying out their Ministerial duties, including when in the Parliament. A revised version of the Code will be published shortly by the First Minister.

  In addition, all MSPs, including those who are Ministers, must adhere to the terms of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament, and are bound by the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006, taken together with Section 39 of the Scotland Act 1998.

Ministerial Code

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for enforcing the Scottish Ministerial Code if it is breached by the First Minister.

Bruce Crawford: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-5914 on 13 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

NHS Funding

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive why it has decided not to ring-fence funding to support the development of mental health and wellbeing services, given that the SNP manifesto included a commitment to ring-fence such funding.

Shona Robison: The substantial funding included within the Scottish Government Budget to 2010-11 will ensure continuity of approach and investment on mental health and other priorities by NHS boards, local authorities and other partners.

  Funding now to be included within the overall local government finance settlement has been endorsed by both the Scottish Ministers and by the COSLA Presidential Team following detailed negotiation and which all believe will lead, over time, to significant benefits for users of all local government services.

  It remains the responsibility of each agency to work in partnership and to allocate funds from the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs, priorities and agreed targets including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and commitments.

Nursing

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many training places have been available in each year since 1997 for post-registration specialist qualifications in neonatal nursing.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the number of training places that have been available in each year since 1997 for post-registration specialist qualifications in neonatal nursing is not available centrally.

  However provisional information provided by NHS Education for Scotland for Specialist Practitioner Qualification since 1997 is as follows:

  

 Year of Completion
 Glasgow Caledonian University
 Napier University
 Total


 1997-98
 0
 0
 0


 1998-99
 0
 0
 0


 1999-2000
 0
 8
 8


 2000-01
 2
 3
 5


 2001-02
 2
 5
 7


 2002-03
 3
 0
 3


 2003-04
 0
 11
 11


 2004-05
 0
 2
 2


 2005-06
 1
 6
 7


 Total
 8
 35
 43

Nursing

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the level of recruitment of neonatal nursing staff.

Nicola Sturgeon: Nurse recruitment is a matter for Health Boards. Neonatal nurses in NHSScotland, in association with the Nursing and Midwifery Workload and Workforce Planning Programme Team have, over the past year, developed, piloted and validated a nursing workload tool. This work will inform any recruitment plans that Neonatal Units may have.

Nursing and Midwifery

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many births have taken place at community midwife-led units at (a) the Vale of Leven Hospital, (b) Inverclyde Hospital and (c) the Royal Alexandra Hospital in each year since the inception of the units.

Shona Robison: The information available is shown in table 1.

  Table 1: All births at selected Community Maternity Units, 2003-2007

  

 Year
 Vale of Leven
 Inverclyde
 Royal Alexandria


 2003
161
92
 -


 2004
 61
 91
293


 2005
 64
 115
 244


 2006
 75
 73
 273


20074
 78
 89
 314



  Notes:

  1. Vale of Leven changed from a consultant to midwife led unit in September 2003,

  this figure shows births from September-31 December 2003.

  2. Inverclyde changed from a consultant to midwife led unit in November 2003,

  this figure shows births from November-31 December 2003.

  3. Royal Alexandria opened a midwife led unit alongside a consultant led unit in

  November 2004, this figure shows births from November-31 December

  2004.

  4. Number of births from 1 January-27 November 2007.

Planning

Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to bring forward planning regulations to modify statutory neighbour notification requirements and, if so, within what timescale.

Stewart Stevenson: The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 made new provision which, when implemented, will see the transfer of responsibility for neighbour notification of planning applications from the applicant to Planning Authorities. We will also implement measures to extend neighbour notification to notify owners, occupiers and neighbours of new site specific proposals in local development plans.

  On 31 October 2007 we published detailed proposals - including draft regulations – for implementing this change and others to the development planning system. We intend to issue a consultation paper in the near future on new development management procedures which will include detailed provisions on neighbour notification in relation to planning applications.

  Draft Regulations on Development Planning: Consultation is available on the Scottish Government web pages at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/31093026/21.

  It is our intention to lay final regulations in respect of both development management and development planning before parliament by the end of 2008.

Planning

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4775 by John Swinney on 22 October 2007, whether it will consider introducing set criteria for designating land as greenspace.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government’s policy on open space is contained in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 11: Open Space and Physical Activity , published earlier this month, available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/12152424/0 .

  SPP 11 requires local authorities to prepare an audit and strategy for open space. The development plan should identify and protect open spaces which are valued and functional, or capable of being brought into functional use, and any other open space which contributes to local amenity, biodiversity or other planning objectives. Planning Advice Note (PAN) 65: Planning and Open Space includes a typology of open space and can be viewed at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/01/16188/16553. There is no intention at present to introduce further criteria for designating land as greenspace.

Planning

Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any powers of intervention when contested urban development has become deadlocked.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Ministers have a power, under planning legislation, to intervene by calling in planning applications for their own determination. This decision-making responsibility is taken over from planning authorities only where Ministers consider such action necessary.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average journey times will be between Croy and Glasgow Queen Street in the event of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main line being electrified, broken down into (a) direct services and (b) services that stop and what the comparable average journey times are at present.

Stewart Stevenson: The improvements proposed for the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line are part of a managed programme of change, providing a more efficient and greener rail network in Central Scotland, delivering faster journey times, increased capacity and more services. It is too early in the design of the scheme to produce a detailed timetable. However, the target for Edinburgh to Glasgow journey times is a reduction from around 50 minutes to around 35 minutes.

  The average journey time between Croy and Glasgow Queen Street at present is 18 minutes.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average journey times will be between Croy and Edinburgh Waverley in the event of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main line being electrified and what the comparable average journey times are at present.

Stewart Stevenson: The improvements proposed for the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line are part of a managed programme of change, providing a more efficient and greener rail network in Central Scotland, delivering faster journey times, increased capacity and more services. It is too early in the design of the scheme to produce a detailed timetable. However, the target for Edinburgh to Glasgow journey times is a reduction from around 50 minutes to around 35 minutes.

  At present the average journey time between Croy and Edinburgh Waverley is 38.5 minutes.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average journey times will be between Falkirk High and (a) Glasgow Queen Street and (b) Edinburgh Waverley in the event of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main line being electrified and what the comparable average journey times are at present.

Stewart Stevenson: The improvements proposed for the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line are part of a managed programme of change, providing a more efficient and greener rail network in Central Scotland, delivering faster journey times, increased capacity and more services. It is too early in the design of the scheme to produce a detailed timetable. However, the target for Edinburgh to Glasgow journey times is a reduction from around 50 minutes to around 35 minutes.

  The average journey time between Falkirk High and Glasgow Queen Street at present is 23.5 minutes.

  The average journey time between Falkirk High and Edinburgh Waverley at present is 32.5 minutes.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average journey times will be between Polmont and (a) Glasgow Queen Street and (b) Edinburgh Waverley in the event of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main line being electrified and what the comparable average journey times are at present.

Stewart Stevenson: The improvements proposed for the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line are part of a managed programme of change, providing a more efficient and greener rail network in Central Scotland, delivering faster journey times, increased capacity and more services. It is too early in the design of the scheme to produce a detailed timetable. However, the target for Edinburgh to Glasgow journey times is a reduction from around 50 minutes to around 35 minutes.

  The average journey time between Polmont and Glasgow Queen Street at present is 28 minutes.

  The average journey time between Polmont and Edinburgh Waverley at present is 30.5 minutes.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average journey times will be between Cumbernauld and Glasgow Queen Street in the event of the line to Cumbernauld being electrified and what the comparable average journey times are at present.

Stewart Stevenson: The improvements proposed for the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line are part of a managed programme of change, providing a more efficient and greener rail network in Central Scotland, delivering faster journey times, increased capacity and more services. It is too early in the design of the scheme to produce a detailed timetable. However, the target for Edinburgh to Glasgow journey times is a reduction from around 50 minutes to around 35 minutes.

  The average journey time between Cumbernauld and Glasgow Queen Street at present is 27 minutes.

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a STAG appraisal is required to take forward the dynamic loop upgrade of the Glasgow to Kilmarnock rail line.

Stewart Stevenson: The dynamic loop upgrade of the Glasgow to Kilmarnock rail line was appraised as one of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) Incremental Output Statement (IOS) Schemes and therefore pre-dates the introduction of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). The project was outlined as a priority of the Scottish Ministers in Scotlands Railways and therefore an appropriate and updated review of the value and benefit of the scheme was conducted.

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a STAG appraisal is required to take forward increases to the frequency of the rail service between Kilmarnock and Carlisle.

Stewart Stevenson: A STAG appraisal would not be necessary in this case because no additional infrastructure would be required and instead it is likely to involve timetabling changes. However, a business case for any additional services would need to made.

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a STAG appraisal is required for the construction of a railway station at Mauchline, East Ayrshire.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) is focussed on identifying the appropriate solution to a transport problem. It is therefore independent of any particular type of solution. A STAG appraisal could therefore be used to assess the most appropriate solution to the transport problem in Mauchline, which may or may not be a new rail station.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual passenger numbers were at (a) Croy, (b) Cumbernauld, (c) Greenfaulds, (d) Falkirk High and (e) Polmont railway stations in each of the last 25 years.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive do not hold the information requested.

  Scottish Ministers became responsible for the ScotRail Franchise in November 2005. Passenger counts are carried out as part of the First ScotRail Franchise for train planning purposes. The passenger counts carried out in 2006 returned the following figures for average usage of the stations.

  

 Station
 Weekday
 Saturday
 Sunday


 Croy
 3,585
 3,031
 990


 Cumbernauld
 873
 797
 135


 Greenfaulds
 357
 352
 77


 Polmont
 1,985
 1,855
 821


 Falkirk High
 2,728
 3,065
 1,394

Rail Network

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what direction and guidance it has given to Transport Scotland regarding track access charges to freight services on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is a part of the Scottish Government, previously known as the Scottish Executive.

  I consider it sensible that Transport Scotland should request the Office of Rail Regulation to determine the appropriate basis for freight track charges on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway.

Rail Network

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has been informed of by Transport Scotland or the Office of Rail Regulation regarding their discussions on track access charges for freight services on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line.

Stewart Stevenson: I am regularly updated by Transport Scotland on progress with the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway project. Transport Scotland has asked the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to determine the appropriate basis for passenger and freight access charges for the new railway. Discussions continue, and a final determination from the ORR has not yet been received.

Rail Network

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that a track access charge will not be levied on freight operators using the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line.

Stewart Stevenson: Track access charge will apply to both passenger and freight trains on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line. The basis of these charges will be determined by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) in accordance with the Railways Act 1993, as amended by the Transport Act 2001.

Regeneration

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was allocated to each local authority as part of the Regeneration Outcome Agreement in the last two years and how much will be allocated in the next financial year.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked James Hynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

  The amount of Community Regeneration Funding allocated to Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) over the last two years is provided in the following table. Local authorities are the accountable body for this funding which is linked to each Partnership’s Regeneration Outcome Agreement.

  As part of the recently completed Strategic Spending Review, the Scottish Government has announced a new £145m per annum fund to regenerate communities and tackle poverty which will replace the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF). Allocations from the new fund will be notified to CPPs in due course.

  As an interim measure, one quarter of the baseline 2007-08 CRF allocation has been guaranteed for each CPP in advance of a final decision on allocation of the new Fund.

  

 CPP
2006-071£ million
2007-081£ million


 Aberdeen City
 1.226
 1.282


 Aberdeenshire
 0.136
 0.142


 Angus
 0.204
 0.214


 Argyll and Bute
 0.788
 0.641


 Clackmannanshire
 1.111
 1.162


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0.613
 0.641


 Dundee City
 5.665
 5.927


 East Ayrshire
 3.533
 3.254


 East Dunbartonshire
 0.272
 0.285


 East Lothian
 0.101
 0.100


 East Renfrewshire
 0.409
 0.427


 Edinburgh, City of
 6.676
 6.176


 Eilean Siar
 0.285
 0.190


 Falkirk
 0.953
 0.997


 Fife
 2.315
 2.422


 Glasgow City 
 42.488
 44.411


 Highland
 0.613
 0.641


 Inverclyde
 4.881
 4.381


 Midlothian
 0.100
 0.100


 Moray
 0.289
 0.193


 North Ayrshire
 3.666
 3.835


 North Lanarkshire
 11.441
 11.971


 Orkney Islands
 0.100
 0.100


 Perth and Kinross
 0.204
 0.214


 Renfrewshire
 4.554
 4.765


 Scottish Borders
 0.163
 0.142


 Shetland Islands
 0.100
 0.100


 South Ayrshire 
 1.360
 0.926


 South Lanarkshire
 7.331
 7.670


 Stirling
 0.409
 0.427


 West Dunbartonshire
 4.456
 3.956


 West Lothian
 0.681
 0.712


 Total
 107.123
 108.404



  Note:

  1. The amounts above (rounded to the nearest £000) relate to original allocations announced in April 2005 and include Integration for Asylum Seekers support in Glasgow.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding was allocated to local authorities for the Community Regeneration Fund in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: The total Community Regeneration Fund allocated to Community Planning Partnerships for 2007-08 amounts to £108.4 million. Local authorities act as grant recipient.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be rolled into the local authority settlement for the Community Regeneration Fund in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: As part of the recent announcement of the Scottish Budget, provision has been made for a new unified fund for Community Planning Partnerships to regenerate communities; tackle individual poverty; and overcome barriers to work. The new fund features within the local government settlement, and totals £145 million in each year between 2008-11.

  As a result of the new fund’s introduction, seven current funding streams, including the Community Regeneration Fund will end in March 2008. As such, no ring-fenced funding for this programme will be rolled forward into the next three years.

  It will be a decision for local community planning partners to decide the amount of resources to invest in delivering outcomes at the local level.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding was allocated to local authorities for the Community Voices Programme in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: The total Community Voices Programme allocation to Community Planning Partnerships for 2007-08 amounts to £3.2 million. Local authorities act as grant recipient.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding will be rolled into the local authority settlement for the Community Voices Programme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: As part of the recent announcement of the Scottish Budget, provision has been made for a new unified fund for Community Planning Partnerships to regenerate communities; tackle individual poverty; and overcome barriers to work. The new fund features within the local government settlement, and totals £145 million in each year between 2008-11.

  As a result of the new fund’s introduction, seven current funding streams, including the Community Voices Programme will end in March 2008. As such, no ring-fenced funding for this programme will be rolled forward into the next three years.

  The empowerment of communities will be a key aim of the new unified fund. It will be a decision for local community planning partners to decide the level of resources to invest in delivering outcomes in this area.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding there will be for local authorities for the Working for Families Programme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: As part of the recent announcement of the Scottish Budget, provision has been made for a new unified fund for Community Planning Partnerships to regenerate communities; tackle individual poverty; and overcome barriers to work. The new fund features within the local government settlement and totals £145 million in each year between 2008-11.

  The Working for Families Programme is one of the current, pump-priming funding streams which will be replaced by the new fund’s introduction in April 2008. As such, no ring-fenced funding for Working for Families activity will be rolled forward into the next three years: however Community Planning Partnerships will be able to use the new fund to support such activity, in the light of local priorities.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding was allocated to local authorities for the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: The total Vacant and Derelict Land Fund allocated to local authorities for 2007-08 amounts to £12.2 million.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding there will be for local authorities for the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: No final decisions have yet been taken on the future distribution of resources to local authorities for vacant and derelict land. These decisions will be informed by the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2007 , which is due for publication on 31 January 2008.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding was allocated to local authorities for private sector housing grant in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: In 2007-08, £68.3 million was allocated to local authorities for Private Sector Housing Grant.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding there will be for local authorities for private sector housing grant in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Scottish Ministers propose to continue ring-fenced funding to local authorities for Private Sector Housing Grant until 2009-10.

  Proposed budgets for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are provided in the following table.

  Private Sector Housing Grant

  

 2008-09
 2009-10


Proposed Budget£m
Proposed Budget£m


 68.3
 68.3



  Under the Concordat agreed between Scottish Ministers and COSLA, the ring-fence around Private Sector Housing Grant will be removed from 1 April 2010, with the funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including from 2010-11 the funding for Private Sector Housing Grant will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding was allocated to local authorities for the transfer of the management of development funding in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked James Hynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows.

  The total amount of funding allocated to local authorities for the Transfer of the Management of Development Funding in 2007-08 was £119.1 million.

Regeneration

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much ring-fenced funding there will be for local authorities for the transfer of the management of development funding in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked James Hynd, Acting Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows.

  The amount of ring-fenced funding for local authorities for the Transfer of Management of Development Funding in each of the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 is £119.1m.

Renewable Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on reaching the 40% renewable energy target by 2020.

Jim Mather: Statistics relating to electricity generated and consumed in Scotland are published by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and are available online at: www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/trends/index.html .

  We have recently announced a significant increase in the target for the generation of electricity from renewables to 50% by 2020, as well as a new interim milestone of 31% to be achieved by 2011. Progress towards these targets will be measured on the basis of whole consumption, which is Scottish demand including losses. This means that meeting the targets will require notably higher amounts of renewable capacity and output than under the previous method of calculation.

  Using the new method, in 2005, which is still the most recent year for which full generation and consumption figures are available, around 16% of electricity generated in Scotland came from renewable sources.

Renewable Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the possibility of setting a higher target for electricity from renewable sources and when there may be an announcement in respect of this.

Jim Mather: As part of the recent Spending Review we announced a substantial increase in the target for electricity generated in Scotland from renewable sources, to 50% by 2020, as well as a new interim milestone of 31% to be achieved by 2011. Progress towards these targets will be measured on the basis of whole consumption, which is Scottish demand including losses.

Roads

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what reductions in the journey times by road from Mallaig to Fort William are estimated to have taken place over the last (a) 15 and (b) 10 years.

Stewart Stevenson: Six major schemes to upgrade the A830 between Lochailort and Mallaig have been delivered since 1975. The seventh and final section is covered in the answer to question S3W-6721 on 3 December 2007. The original single-track status of the road and the variable traffic patterns make time savings difficult to determine over such a long timescale, but we calculate that peak-time savings over the past 10 and 15 years are in the region of 10.6 minutes and 14.5 minutes respectively.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Roads

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated reduction in the journey time by road will be once the latest phase of improvements to the Mallaig to Fort William road are completed.

Stewart Stevenson: The last remaining single-track section of the A830, between Loch nan Uamh and Arisaig, is being upgraded. The published Environmental Statement projects peak travel time savings, over the extent of the scheme, as 4.3 minutes and 3.6 minutes for light vehicles and HGV’s respectively. Minor subsequent refinements in design may result in slightly different time savings. This information is contained in the Transport Scotland website: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/headlineprojectpage.aspx?pageID=766 .

Roads

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to upgrading the A82 as outlined in the A82 Action Plan.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6295 answered on 26 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

School Meals

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much its proposal to extend the entitlement of free school meals to pupils whose families are in receipt of maximum child or working families tax credit by 2009 will cost.

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much its proposal to extend entitlement to free school meals to all pupils in primary 1 to primary 3 by 2010 will cost.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for free school meals , will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Scottish Futures Trust

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-1086 by John Swinney on 1 November 2007, when details of the Scottish Futures Trust initiative will be announced.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-5903 on 7 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Scottish Government Expenditure

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is normal practice to use the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis outturn figures as the baseline budget for the following financial year.

John Swinney: In calculating the Scottish Government baseline HM Treasury used new expenditure plans, adjusted in certain cases to take account of the latest estimates of outturn spending, as published in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis document. It is considered that this is an approach for which there is no precedent.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it engaged in prior to its decision not to award universities the level of additional funding that they requested in the strategic spending review.

Fiona Hyslop: In the lead up to the strategic spending review the Government held meetings with a number of bodies including the Scottish Funding Council, Universities Scotland and the University and College Union. Meetings were also held with principals and senior staff from a number of universities. University funding was covered at these meetings within a wider range of topics. The Government also carefully considered spending review advice from the Scottish Funding Council and stakeholder bodies.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how not providing the additional funding for universities requested by Universities Scotland matches the Executive’s statement about the importance of learning and skills in The Government Economic Strategy, published on 13 November 2007.

Fiona Hyslop: The Government has provided a settlement which is affordable within considerable financial constraints and which grows investment in our universities over the Spending Review period. This will allow institutions to continue to make a significant contribution to Scotland’s economic infrastructure.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the changes are from the 2007-08 baseline for each proposed budget line at levels (a) one, (b) two and (c) three of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service portfolio resulting from Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007, expressed in real (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms for each year of the spending review.

John Swinney: The information requested is given in Draft Budget 2008-09 : Real Terms Analysis , a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44133).

Scottish Government Expenditure

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the changes are from the 2007-08 baseline for each proposed budget line at levels (a) one, (b) two and (c) three of the Justice portfolio resulting from Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007, expressed in real (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms for each year of the spending review.

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the changes are from the 2007-08 baseline for each proposed budget line at levels (a) one, (b) two and (c) three of the First Minister portfolio resulting from Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007, expressed in real (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms for each year of the spending review.

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the changes are from the 2007-08 baseline for each proposed budget line at levels (a) one, (b) two and (c) three of the Finance and Sustainable Growth portfolio resulting from Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007, expressed in real (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms for each year of the spending review.

John Swinney: The information requested for levels one and two is given in Draft Budget 2008-09: Real Terms Analysis, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44133.)

Scottish Government Expenditure

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for the Police Capital Grant in 2007-08.

Kenny MacAskill: The total allocated for Police Capital Grant in 2007-08 is £31.415 million.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what new funding arrangements have been agreed with universities for the 2008-11 spending review period following the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning’s meeting with university principals on 22 November 2007.

Fiona Hyslop: I held a very constructive meeting with Universities Scotland on 22 November 2007 covering a range of issues. I stated clearly to Universities Scotland that the Cabinet remains sympathetic to the sector in terms of additional funding from in-year flexibility for capital and potential consequentials in the years ahead. I am sympathetic on the issue of the specific cost pressures universities face in the first year of the settlement and I am willing to work creatively with the sector and the Funding Council on addressing this matter. Universities Scotland have committed to providing more detailed information to the Scottish Government on this issue so that it can be considered further.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and university principals on 22 November 2007, what the earliest date is by which additional funding might be made available to universities for revenue expenditure beyond the settlement announced for the sector in the spending review.

Fiona Hyslop: As the joint statement between the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland issued on 22 November 2007 made clear, the Cabinet will consider the possibilities for additional funding from in-year flexibility and potential consequentials as and when the opportunity to do so arises in the years ahead.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and university principals on 22 November 2007, what level of funding may be made available to universities for revenue expenditure in addition to the settlement announced for the sector in the spending review.

Fiona Hyslop: As the joint statement between the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland issued on 22 November 2007 made clear, the Cabinet will consider the possibilities for additional funding from in-year flexibility and potential consequentials as and when the opportunity to do so arises in the years ahead. Those opportunities will determine what level of funding may be made available.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit, timescale and membership will be of the joint task force on higher education funding announced after the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and university principals on 22 November 2007.

Fiona Hyslop: The Joint Future Thinking Taskforce announced last week will work between now and the spring of next year on the issues facing the university sector in Scotland over the next 20 years. The exact remit and membership of the Taskforce is currently being finalised by the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with university principals on staff numbers following the announcement of the funding settlement for universities in the spending review.

Fiona Hyslop: There have been no specific discussions on the issue of staff numbers. However I have had a number of wide ranging discussions on the funding settlement for universities.

Sex Offenders

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to pay for the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders in 2007-08.

Stewart Maxwell: £2 million has been allocated in 2007-08 to assist local authorities in developing the systems, protocols and practices required to implement the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders.

Sex Offenders

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be rolled into the local authority settlement to pay for the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Under the Concordat agreed between Scottish Ministers and COSLA, the ring-fence around the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders will be removed from 1 April 2008, with the funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for implementation of the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Sex Offenders

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the recent publication of figures showing that there are currently 295 registered sex offenders resident in the Grampian Police force area, whether it will now publish comparable figures for other police force areas.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is shown in the following table, which is available and updated monthly on the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) website found at: http://www.spsa.police.uk/foi/classes_information/public_interest .

  

 Scottish Police Force Area
Numbers registered as at1 November 2007


 Central
 185


 Dumfries and Galloway
 111


 Fife
 247


 Grampian 
 315


 Lothian and Borders
 648


 Northern
 215


 Strathclyde
 1,268


 Tayside
 328


 Other
 187


 Total
 3,504



  Numbers of registered sex offenders fluctuate on a daily basis.

Sport

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish a national sports facilities fund.

Stewart Maxwell: Now the outcome of the spending review is known, it is our intention that officials will meet with sportscotland to discuss the establishment of a national sports facilities fund.

Sport

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to ring-fence any funding for the development of grass-roots sport.

Stewart Maxwell: Officials are in discussions with sportscotland about funding priorities for sport for the period to 2011 but I do not anticipate ring-fencing funding for grassroots sport. Increasing participation is one of two national priorities in the Government’s sport strategy and this is reflected in sportscotland’s Corporate Plan which will inform future funding decisions.

  It has been an extremely tight spending round but we have secured additional funding for sport. Sportscotland is currently under review and possible outcomes may influence future funding arrangements.

Student Finance

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost to write off student debt in one year.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government's policy proposal was to meet student loan repayments and not write-off in one amount the accumulated student loan debt. We are continuing to explore options for servicing the debt and we are planning to seek views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt through a consultation next year.

  The overall level of Scottish student loan debt from Scottish borrowers as at 31 March 2007 was £1.95 billion. This figure is made up of debt held by the Scottish Government and of sold debt held by private sector institutions.

  We estimate the current cost to completely write-off this debt in one year would be approximately £1.5 billion as the provisions for the interest subsidy, complete write-off provision and debt sale subsidy would be applied to reduce the total debt outstanding. These figures will continue to grow as more loans are advanced.

Student Finance

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether available financial resources would permit student debt to be written off in one year.

Fiona Hyslop: If the significant financial resources required were available it would be possible for the student loan debt to be written-off in one year. An alternative to complete write-off is to service the debt and so remove the burden of graduate debt.

Student Finance

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it would cost each year to service the current level of student debt.

Fiona Hyslop: We will be exploring this as part of a consultation on student support and graduate debt proposals that will be undertaken in 2008. The actual annual cost of any servicing agreement will depend on the outcome of this consultation.

  To provide some context, in the 2006-07 financial year £51.5 million was repaid by Scottish student loan borrowers, an amount which we expect to increase over the spending review as more borrowers enter repayment.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which organisations it consulted prior to making its decision not to service the existing loan debt of Scotland-domiciled graduates by meeting their annual loan repayments as long as they are resident in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government did not conduct a formal consultation prior to making its decision not to bring forward proposals for servicing the existing student loan debt in the spending review period. This decision was made in light of there being insufficient parliamentary support and choices which had to be made within the context of the tightest budget settlement since devolution.

  We plan to take forward a consultation next year to seek the views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it carried out before deciding there should be a review on student support and graduate debt proposals to start in 2008.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government did not conduct a formal consultation on whether or not there should be a review. Instead we plan to issue a consultation paper seeking the views of stakeholders about our policy to replace the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means-tested grants. As part of this process we will also seek the views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why the review of student support and graduate debt proposals will not begin until next year.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale will be for the review of student support and graduate debt proposals.

Fiona Hyslop: We plan to issue a consultation paper seeking the views of stakeholders about our policy to replace the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means-tested grants. As part of this process we will also seek the views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt.

  Consulting next year will allow time to consider the responses before beginning the second part of the phased introduction of grants in 2010-11 and to consider possible options for servicing debt in the next spending review. The first part of the phased introduction will provide new support for part-time students studying Higher Education.

  The precise timings of the consultation are still being finalised, but it will be announced on the Scottish Government website in line with normal consultation practice.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the full remit will be of the review of student support and graduate debt proposals.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will conduct the review of student support and graduate debt proposals.

Fiona Hyslop: We plan to issue a consultation paper seeking the views of stakeholders about our policy to replace the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means-tested grants. As part of this process we will also seek the views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt.

  We currently have no plans to extend the remit of the consultation any further.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whom it will consult on the review of student support and graduate debt proposals.

Fiona Hyslop: We plan to issue a consultation paper seeking the views of stakeholders about our policy to replace the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means-tested grants. As part of this process we will also seek the views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt.

  This consultation exercise will seek responses from those stakeholders who represent students, staff and institutions. We will also look for responses from other groups and bodies with an interest in Higher Education.

Student Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget will be for the review of student support and graduate debt proposals.

Fiona Hyslop: We plan to issue a consultation paper seeking the views of stakeholders about our policy to replace the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means-tested grants. As part of this process we will also seek the views of stakeholders on measures to tackle graduate debt.

  The costs for the consultation on student support and graduate debt proposals will be met within existing divisional running costs.

Supporting People

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for Supporting People in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07, (c) 2007-08, (d) 2008-09, (e) 2009-2010 and (f) 2010-11.

Stewart Maxwell: Allocations for Supporting People were;

  

 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


£m
£m
£m


 407
 399
 401



  In addition to the allocations in 2005-06 local authorities were given a further

  £12 million in pipeline funds unspent in 2004-05.

  Allocations to local authorities in 2007-08 were above the baseline at £401 million.

  Under the Concordat agreed between Scottish Ministers and COSLA, the ring-fence around Supporting People will be removed from 1 April 2008, with the funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding for implementation of Supporting People will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Swimming Pools

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide children with free year-round access to local authority swimming pools.

Stewart Maxwell: We will continue to work with local government, through COSLA, to develop policy in areas where local government has a key interest. Both sides will also work together to discuss and agree implementation and resource issues relating to these policy areas. It is recognised that, in some instances, whether through the development of new policy initiatives or for other reasons, there may be exceptional funding pressures which local authorities are unable to meet. In such cases, both sides agree that any difficulties will be addressed jointly between the Scottish Government and local government, as part of a developing mature relationship. That process will include a review of both finance available and of pressures. It will take into account, where appropriate, reviewing the pressures and/or released efficiencies in light of other ongoing initiatives such as in the work being taken forward to simplify the landscape.

Teachers

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers will be trained in Scottish universities in the 2008-09 academic year.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers will be trained in Scottish universities in the 2009-10 academic year.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers will be trained in Scottish universities in the 2010-11 academic year.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers will be trained in Scottish universities in the 2011-12 academic year.

Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise that underpins advice to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on intakes to teacher training courses including the 1 year professional graduate diploma course. Ministers have yet to receive the final advice of the planning exercise and have yet to issue advice to the SFC on intakes to teacher training courses in 2008-09 and subsequent years. However it is anticipated over the 2007-11 period over 20,000 will enter teacher training. On-going work on teacher workforce planning will determine final figures.

Teachers

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places will be available in each university in the 2008-09 academic year.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places will be available in each university in the 2009-10 academic year.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places will be available in each university in the 2010-11 academic year.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places will be available in each university in the 2011-12 academic year.

Maureen Watt: The total number of training places allocated at any university in any year is a matter for the Scottish Funding Council. However it is anticipated over the 2007-11 period over 20,000 will enter teacher training. Ongoing work on teacher workforce planning will determine final figures.